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Goodwill employee retires with 45 years of perfect attendance

Working 45 years at one place is a pretty amazing feat. But never missing a day of work in four and a half decades is unheard of!

Phoenix resident Warren "Al" Polk did both. In fact, he arrived at work early every day.

Tim O'Neal, the CEO Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona said, "He really is what is best about an organization like Goodwill," said Tim O'Neal, the CEO of Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona. "45 years of work and has never missed a day and we've gone back to verify that."

He started with the company when Goodwill's warehouse was located on 16th Street and everything was done outside. No heat or air conditioning. Most recently, he's been working at the operation center near 51st Avenue and Thomas.

"He always remembered people's birthday's and would bring them gifts," said Bill Farrell, one of Polk's supervisors. "He has one of the kindest hearts of anyone I know. We nicknamed him #1 because he's one of the best and definitely the longest standing employee, spanning over 4 decades with us."

On Wednesday, Goodwill threw Polk a retirement party. Polk said with all of his free time, he plans to relax.

"Just stay home and relax, take it easy," Polk said. "I don't have to be getting up at 4 o'clock and catching the bus."

Goodwill gave Polk a new television as a retirement gift. The Arizona Diamondbacks also gave him several tickets for next season.

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